Performance of Some Selected Grass Mulches on Onion (Allium Cepa L.) Under Sprinkler Irrigation System in Gwallameji, Bauchi State

Authors

  • Sani, M. Department of Agricultural and Bio-Environmental Engineering Technology, School of Engineering Technology, The Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi, Bauchi State, Nigeria. Author
  • Sadiq, Y. Department of Agricultural and Bio-Environmental Engineering Technology, School of Engineering Technology, The Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi, Bauchi State, Nigeria. Author
  • Samuel, E. B. Department of Agricultural and Bio-Environmental Engineering Technology, School of Agricultural Technology, Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria. Author
  • Raji, S. G. Maintenance and services Department, Bayero University Kano, Kano state, Nigeria. Author

Abstract

There is a continual drive to conserve soil and water and improve irrigation efficiency in agriculture, especially in the Sahel and Sudan Savanna like Bauchi State, where water resources are limited and regulated. The adoption of soil and water conservation techniques has the potential to play a key role in increasing agricultural productivity, enhancing food security as well as Stimulating sustainable economic growth. Among the various methods used for soil and moisture conservation, mulching has been reported to be easiest and cheaper to the local farmer. Sprinkler Irrigation system may cause soil erosion where the application rate is high and where the soils are friable. This study aims at identifying the best mulching material and mulching thickness for the onion farmers in the state by evaluating the various types and thickness of some selected grass mulching materials under onion irrigated field using sprinkler irrigation system in Gwallameji, Bauchi State, Nigeria. The soil texture class for the study area is mainly sandy loam at the depth of 0-45cm, and partly clay loam at the depth beyond 45cm. Thus, it was concluded that the soil is homogenous within the rooting depth of the selected crop in this study. The maximum soil bulk density was 1.50 g/cm3 and minimum of 1.37g/cm3 which was well within the recommended range for onion production. From the results, Typha grass performed better in terms of soil moisture retention than the other two mulches (Gamba and Jema grasses). The highest WUE (65.5kg/ha/mm) at 5cm depth was recorded from plots treated with Typha grass, and the lowest (54.6kg/ha/mm) was recorded under Gamba grass. At 10cm depth, the highest value of WUE (86.7kg/ha/mm) was recorded from plots treated with Typha grass, and the lowest (61.9kg/ha/mm) was recorded under Gamba grass. Similarly, at 15cm depth, the highest WUE (76.3kg/ha/mm) was recorded from plots treated with Typha grass, and the lowest was recorded under Gamba grass (59.0kg/ha/mm). The control however recorded the lowest WUE (47.3kg/ha/mm).

Keywords:

Mulching, Sprinkler Irrigation, Typha, Gamba, Jema Grass, Bauchi

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Published

31-08-2024

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How to Cite

Sani, M., Sadiq, Y., Samuel, E. B., & Raji, S. G. (2024). Performance of Some Selected Grass Mulches on Onion (Allium Cepa L.) Under Sprinkler Irrigation System in Gwallameji, Bauchi State. Journal of Systematic, Evaluation and Diversity Engineering, 5(5). https://africanscholarpub.com/ajsede/article/view/275

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